Two Papuans are due to go on trial in Manokwari for raising the 14-star flag. The two men are Melkinus Bleskadit and Dance Bleskadit who, along with five others, raised flags on 14 December 2010. The documents regarding the two men were handed over by the police to the attorney's office.

A lawyer acting for the two men, Yan Christian Warinussy, said that this is the second stage in the judicial process, following interrogation and bringing together other evidence.

"The two men are now awaiting action on their case by the prosecutors who will present the charges against them," he said. He said that the two men were likely to be charged for treason – makar – and the lawyer hoped that the trial proceedings would commence as soon as possible.

Four others involved in the flag raising are Jhon Wena, 21, George Rawiay, 20, Benha Supangha, 20, and Alex Duwen, 22. [The name of the fifth person was not mentioned.] The ages of the two men due to be formally charged were not given.

The seven men were arrested as they were commemorating the anniversary of the independence declaration of the West Melanesian Republic on 14 December 2010.

The five men are being held in police custody and are still undergoing interrogation by the police.